May 31, 2012

got back to Michigan safe and sound this evening...after a 57 hour whirlwind.....16 of those hours spent driving....what a wonderful time we had celebrating my nephew Davids graduation and my Mom's 72nd birthday.....didn't get a chance to blog last night because when I finally got back to my brother Tim's house, where we stay, it was already well after midnight.

here is the some of the family at David's graduation....

when my brother Mike passed away unexpectedly on November 26, 2011.....his wife Rhonda came up with a GREAT way to honor his generous spirit....she is in the process of creating a group called Mike's Helping Hands....the purpose of this is to provide help for people who either can't afford or just can't physically get a project done around their house....Mike and Rhonda were always helping folks do odd jobs....Ross and I were privileged to take part in one of those events yesterday to help a wonderful family.

then my brother's Tim, Dan and I went on a search for our fathers gravesite.....we had the address, lot # and plot #.....my dad was not a part of any of our lives after about 1972 and so when he passed in 1991 we went to the funeral home for the service and then took the word of his wife what her intentions were for our dad's remains.....so we showed up at the cemetery 20+ years later...found the lot and plot # and were told that dad did not have a stone and that his ashes were scattered in between these 2 particular stones......not what we were told by his wife...but now we know....

later in the evening we went to our families favorite place to have a celebration....The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown St Louis...14 of us went to celebrate Mom's birthday....we always have a wonderful time...



and today is our niece Alex's 27th birthday.....Happy Birthday Sweetheart...we love and miss you!!!

Pleasant Dreams!!!